I'm interested in getting some driving lights, but I want to be sure I'm ordering the right ones. I think What I am looking for are VIP lights, but I want to know the right sizes.

I like these (I mean the small ones on the sides; NOT the large ones with covers that say, "Hella,"):




I want to make sure the small ones are VIP lights, and what size they are. I got the image from here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIP-R50-R52-...-/200732814953

(they are selling the VIP quad bracket, so I'm not sure what lights are actually in those images).

I also like these, although they look a little bigger, which I found out are VIP driving lights:

Do any of you know what size these lights are? The main thing I'm looking for are lights that are not too big and are mounted at the bottom of the grill (so that the tops of the lights just peak over the top of the grill).

At the VIP website, all of the driving lights look a little too big in the pictures: http://www.vipcustomparts.com/driving%20lights.htm

am I looking for 5.0 inch lights, or something smaller?

I also don't like how some driving lights seem to be mounted in the middle of the grill, like these:



Do only some lights have the option of mounting them at the bottom, or can you just mix and match any light with the right bracket to mount them at the bottom of the grill? Can anyone point me to the right ones I should order? Also, prefer the metallic look over the black plastic look, but cold go for either.

 

From what I can see, the smaller lights on the top picture are nothing more than the factory driving lights slightly relocated, most 4 light systems off the upper grill (bonnet) are nothing more than 2 sets of the factory brackets that have simply been relocated to get the correct spacing.

If this is what you're looking for, do a search for someone who has changed their setup & would be willing to sell all of there old factory stuff, be the least expensive way.

 

try going to a local auto parts store, they ussually have some sort of driving lights in multiple sizes and see how they look on your mini, i was planning on getting some too and figureing a wasy to mount them to the lower grille, 4 across, and i really like the rally looking lights, whihc i can get at autozone for $60 a pair, then i would just switch the bulbs out for some nice bulbs

 

have u looked at the stock ones? they are 5" but very expensive

 

I'd stick with a well made light like a Hella or Piaa. If you only care about looks & not function buy any light that is the right size for you.

 

I'd recommend relooking at the
VIP site for their 5" lights (stainless or black). Not too big, but not too small. All he photos are of 5 1/2" lamps, but they only sell 5" in the 4-pack.

Go to the bottom right side of the page to check fitment and cost.

 

PIAA makes a nice set as a kit for our minis. It includes all the mounting and connection components for a relatively easy install. I have this set and I've been pretty happy with it.
http://new.minimania.com/part/NMA302...FYtU4AodfQMAPg.
This is the kit I'm talking about. The price is a bit higher here than what I paid from a local aftermarket part supplier. Believe it or not it was actually an off road parts dealer and he got it for me for 230. The picture in the ad doesn't do the lights much justice but the are 5 inch lights with everything you need for install.

Btw - I tried the "cheap" route with some lights from autozone and they were crap. They shook like crazy when I drove and one cracked inside of a week. Lesson learned for me. The piaas have been on the car for 10 months now and I have no issues.
One more thing. The less expensive ones do take on water/ moisture which isn't very attractive and it contributes to the electrics going bad sooner.

 

I'm 90% sure this kit includes the factory - GEN1 - bracket/mount

That mount is VERY solid

I doesn't matter what light you use once you properly attach the factory mount. They are strong as heck.

I've installed many set of GEN1 driving lights and ALWAYS use the factory mounts. I could build something as strong .... but why?

 

Christianmc, just call VIP Custom and ask. They're nice guys... seriously. I called them about both my VIP exhaust and VIP driving light brackets that I mounted Hella Black Magics on.

 

Thanks for all the responses. MotorWorf, I'll ask the folks at VIP about their 5" lights. They seem to be mounted the way I like them, and the 5" should be smaller than the pictures they have on their site.

Meanwhile, I came accross the Hella FF200s and they look really classy:



I notice, however, on every image of these lights on a mini, the problem I was talking about in my initial post: The lights are always mounted higher up on the grill, between the first and second "ribs" (or whatever it's called) of the grill. I would prefer it to be mounted below the bottom "rib," so that the lights do not peak so high over the grill. Does anyone know if this can be done? Or why there are no images of the Hella ff200 done this way?

 

possibly because that's where the factory mounts poke thru the grill ... and without significant metal work to the mounts that's not easily changed . . . (cut off,mate a step, re-attach . . .)

I could do it - but I work with steel and have welding capability at home . . . a lil' bit over what many have in the garage

 

Thanks Capt! Yeah, that's definitely not me. I'd like to learn, but welding might be more than I can chew right now. But am I right that the VIP lights on the red car in my initial post are mounted lower? So they must not be using the factory mounts?

To make sure I understand you -- is it possible to place the lights lower using a different non-factory mount without doing any welding, regardless of what light I use? I'll take into consideration your recommendation on using the factory mounts. If nothing else is as strong, I may settle for that placement.

 

yes - those red car's lights appear to poke thru unnder the bottom of the bonnet lip. So they have used different brackets, attached possibly to the bonnet or possibly to the bumper.

Where did they get these brackets? I dunno. You could fabricate some without needing any welding. Just some flat metal stock available at any hardware/home improv' store .... you can bend it in a vise .. you'd need a good drill bit to make the holes. In the end the bracked is not any more complicated then an L bracket for hanging a shelf. Driving lights are not very heavy but you need to make the bracket strong enough to not vibrate....

this might not present a clear picture but this is what the factory GEN1 brackets look like
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop..._brackets.html

this is the install instructions which can show you how they are mounted
http://www.minimania.com/pdfile/NMA3030_INSTR.zip

this is a GEN2 bracket that mounts much lower
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop..._brackets.html

 

Thanks Capt! Awesome info

I think I'm going to go with those Hella ff200s. The mounting position actually doesn't bother me with the ff200s in the pictures. I'm not sure why, maybe I just got used to it. But I think it has to do with the fact that the ff200s are oval in shape (shorter than wide), so maybe it appears slightly lower. Does anyone know if you have to order ones specifically for Minis, or will any ff200s work? I found that many of the ones listed online have different part numbers:

$219:
http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=812

$149:
http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=159

Both from the same sight, but only one looks like it is specific to the mini (and more expensive). The second one doesn't say anything about Mini. And then autobarn appears to sell the same driving lamp kit as the second one, but it has a picture of a mini:

$139:
http://www.autobarn.net/hella-ff2001.html

And then one that just says "auxiliary lamps" (but it says it does come with mounting kit), for the same price:

$139
http://www.autobarn.net/helauxlamff.html

What's th difference? Will any of them work? Thanks!